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[hoopsandharmonies]

FROM: SUBJECT: SORT BY: Most Recent Chad Danforth to Troy Bolton Since I'm writing emails anyway (8/16) Chad Danforth to Troy Bolton You can't say no to me. (6/10) Chad Danforth to Troy Bolton Man (2/20) Fwd: Troy Bolton to Ryan Evans to Chad Danforth Fwd: Dude? Not. Cool (2/7) Troy Bolton to Gabriella Montez Sooo... (1/24) Chad Danforth to Troy Bolton (no subject) (1/24) Troy Bolton to Chad Danforth Sooooo... (1/16) There are 7 messages.

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[hoopsandharmonies]

You've known since April and you're just now telling me? It's June, Chad. But I can't blame you...

...you're sure it's a good idea?

[gottaswing]

Why on Earth would it be a good idea?

[Honest confusion in his voice here.]

You have to keep me from making out with him again.

[hoopsandharmonies]

Then why are we going?

[Well you're the one who just dropped everything to drive 15 hours, Troy...]

[gottaswing]

Because I really want to see him and I promised that I would, so if I'm not going he will think that I'm still broken up and I can't still be broken up when it took him less than a week to move on.

Also you like musicals.

[hoopsandharmonies]

Do I need to talk about promises again? Because I will. [There's the sound of the tires spinning on the highway as Troy drives, thinking something over.]

I've never seen Hairspray. What're you gonna do if his new boyfriend's there though?

[gottaswing]

...fuck, I didn't even think of that.

Punch him.

[At least he says that with reassured conviction, however fake.]

[hoopsandharmonies]

I'll hold him down. [And he sounds pretty cheerful even if he's not. This is a very, very grim situation.]

Don't know if that'll win you brownie points though, dude.

[gottaswing]

He'll probably just fall over when I land a good hit. And, no, but it probably would feel quite satisfying.

[hoopsandharmonies]

Yeah, true. [Sigh.]

You know I love you right, and what I'm gonna say is out of love. But this is crazy.

[gottaswing]

I just want to see him again.

[hoopsandharmonies]

You're literally loading a gun and sticking it in his hand. And then standing in front of him. With a giant target painted on your chest.

[gottaswing]

That's a nice metaphor. [Not.] But he likes my chest, so he very probably wouldn't shoot it. Wait, am I wearing a shirt?

[hoopsandharmonies]

Man, I think you're forgetting what the twins are capable o--

--...man, is Sharpay gonna be there? Tell me Sharpay's not gonna be there.

[gottaswing]

Sharpay isn't gonna be there?

[He tries.]

[hoopsandharmonies]

Dude, you're throwing both of us to the lions!?

[gottaswing]

Maybe Zeke will be there, too?

Look, I didn't exactly think this through!

[hoopsandharmonies]

I can see that! [He seethes for all of two seconds before he comes back.]

He still means that much to you?

[gottaswing]

Yeah. [He silent for a while, not even breathing before adding:] I don't get it, either.

But he's great, you just only ever hear the bad parts.

[hoopsandharmonies]

[...he's going to regret this, maybe. But it's only fair considering how much he talks nonstop about Gabriella.]

...why don't you tell me about the good parts then?

[gottaswing]

He gets me. And he doesn't make me feel like an idiot the way Taylor did, though everyone probably is an idiot compared to her, so I'm not blaming her for that. But, yeah. He actually laughs at my jokes. And we talk about everything. Well, used to. Random stuff, serious stuff. He actually makes me wanna talk about it.

[He is silent again before continuing.] And he's gorgeous. Well, you know that. Or do you?

[hoopsandharmonies]

I mean I guess so? He's technically Sharpay's male doppleganger and she's pretty cute so...sure?

[But he's silent again as he thinks that all over.] And those are all great qualities to have in a…boy…friend. But you can find those in someone else can't you? Think about what you just told me. Why are those things only Ryan can do for you?

[gottaswing]

Technically you're doing the same right now, but I still don't feel an urge to make out with you on your bed.

[Said very dryly, that.]

It doesn't even matter, because I wasn't good enough for him. I'm not trying to win him back or anything.

[hoopsandharmonies]

I like to think I'm better-looking than he is. [But he's teasing to try and lighten the mood.]

Don't even. If anything, he wasn't good enough for you. If a guy can't even keep his promises, he's not worth it. Even I know that. We're only going to this thing to show him you're doing just fine and he's just a blip on the radar, 2000 miles away.

[gottaswing]

I don't know, you might be Eric and Philipp, but he has about all the others covered.

And, yeah, that's why we're doing it. That's why I have to be there. And let's not focus on how I need you to hold my hand.

...not literally.

[hoopsandharmonies]

Whatever you say, man.

You sure? [Teasing again] I could totally be a stand-in boyfriend.